Development

Continuous improvement of system functionality up to the current version of the project.

Progress of the project

The SACTA project started in 1984. Between 1990 and 1994 it became operational in the five Spanish air traffic control centres: Palma de Mallorca (1990), Madrid (1991), Seville (1992), Canary Islands (1994) and Barcelona (1994).

In only a few years, this product has undergone extensive evolution with great improvement to its system functionalities. With version II of SACTA (1997), partial harmonisation was achieved as well as the interconnection of the airport control centres and towers. In 1999, SACTA version III was implemented in all control centres; a great advance that, in addition to solving the year 2000 problem, meant the total homogenisation of the system in terms of equipment and programs. Currently, SACTA version IV has been implemented.

Version III of SACTA responds to the following objectives:

Control position (FOCUCS) for routes, terminal control area (TCA) and integrated tower system.

High level of availability and reliability, based on equipment redundancy and the incorporation of function protection mechanisms.

Integration of all the control towers and data communication with the airport systems in the system, dealing with the gate to gate concept.

Standardisation of Eurocontrol ADEXP communications.

Interoperability between the systems of all air traffic control centres and approach facilities.

Integrated supervision of the system with great reconfiguration flexibility.

Data communications with foreign collateral centres.

Additional tools for assistance in controller decision-making.

Incorporation of new European communications standards: ASTERIX format.